American and European roulette deliver the same timeless casino roulette experience: players place chips on numbers, colors, or groups of numbers and watch where the ball lands after the wheel spins. Both versions are easy to learn, visually exciting, and built around the possibility of winning payouts ranging from even money to 35 to 1 on a straight-up number.
However, one small-looking difference has a major effect on the mathematical value of every spin.European roulette has 37 pockets, numbered 0 through 36, while American roulette has 38 pockets because it includes both 0 and 00. Since standard payouts are generally the same in both games, the extra 00 pocket gives American roulette a substantially higher house edge.
For players comparing roulette tables, understanding wheel layouts, return to player, special rules, and available wagers can make choosing a game much simpler. In most cases, European roulette offers the more player-friendly starting point.
The Main Difference: One Zero vs. Two Zeros
The central distinction between the two roulette styles is the number of green zero pockets on the wheel.
| Feature | European Roulette | American Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| Total wheel pockets | 37 | 38 |
| Numbers on the wheel | 0 to 36 | 0, 00, and 1 to 36 |
| Standard house edge | 2.70% | 5.26% |
| Approximate standard RTP | 97.30% | 94.74% |
| Even-money payouts | 1 to 1 | 1 to 1 |
| Straight-up number payout | 35 to 1 | 35 to 1 |
| Special zero rules | May include La Partage or En Prison | Usually not offered |
The zero and double-zero pockets are neither red nor black, odd nor even, high nor low, and they are not part of any dozen or column. When the ball lands in a green pocket, most standard bets lose. This is how the casino maintains its advantage.
With only one green zero pocket, European roulette creates fewer losing outcomes for players betting on standard propositions. American roulette adds the 00 pocket without increasing the standard payout schedule, which is why the difference in expected return is so meaningful over time.
European Roulette Odds and House Edge
European roulette has 37 possible wheel outcomes. On a standard single-number bet, a player wins when the ball lands on one selected number. The probability of that happening is 1 in 37, or approximately 2.70%.
A straight-up winning bet pays 35 to 1, meaning a successful 1-unit wager returns 36 units in total: the 35-unit profit plus the original 1-unit stake. That payout structure is slightly lower than the true odds of 36 to 1 against winning, which produces the casino advantage.
The standard European roulette house edge is calculated as follows:
House edge = 1 / 37 = approximately 2.70%
Its approximate return to player is therefore:
RTP = 100% - 2.70% = approximately 97.30%
This does not mean a player will receive exactly 97.30 units back for every 100 units wagered in a short session. Individual results are random and can vary widely. Instead, RTP describes the game’s theoretical long-term payout rate across a very large number of wagers.
American Roulette Odds and House Edge
American roulette operates with 38 possible outcomes because the wheel contains 0 and 00 in addition to numbers 1 through 36. Yet, standard inside and outside bet payouts typically remain unchanged from European roulette.
For example, a straight-up wager still pays 35 to 1 despite having only a 1 in 38 chance of winning. The additional losing pocket raises the standard house edge to:
House edge = 2 / 38 = approximately 5.26%
The approximate standard RTP is:
RTP = 100% - 5.26% = approximately 94.74%
In practical terms, American roulette’s 5.26% house edge is nearly double the 2.70% edge of standard European roulette. For players who value stronger baseline odds while enjoying the same core roulette gameplay, this is the most important comparison to remember.
Why the Same Payouts Matter
At first glance, it may seem reasonable for American roulette to offer larger prizes because players face an additional possible losing outcome. In standard roulette, though, the payouts are generally the same across both variants.
That means a straight-up number bet pays 35 to 1 in either game, a split pays 17 to 1, a street pays 11 to 1, and an even-money outside bet pays 1 to 1. The player takes on the added 00 risk in American roulette without receiving a higher listed payout in return.
| Bet Type | Numbers Covered | Typical Payout in Both Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Straight-up | 1 number | 35 to 1 |
| Split | 2 numbers | 17 to 1 |
| Street | 3 numbers | 11 to 1 |
| Corner | 4 numbers | 8 to 1 |
| Six line | 6 numbers | 5 to 1 |
| Column or dozen | 12 numbers | 2 to 1 |
| Even-money outside bet | 18 numbers | 1 to 1 |
Because payout amounts do not rise to compensate for the 00, the European wheel’s single-zero design remains the more favorable option when all other conditions are equal.
La Partage: A Valuable European Roulette Rule
Some European roulette tables offer a special rule called La Partage. It applies to even-money bets, including red or black, odd or even, and low or high.
Normally, if a player places an even-money wager and the ball lands on 0, the full stake loses. Under La Partage, the player receives half of the original stake back when the ball lands on zero.
For example, imagine placing a 10-unit bet on red:
- If red wins, the player receives a 10-unit profit and keeps the original 10-unit stake.
- If black wins, the full 10-unit stake loses.
- If 0 lands under La Partage, 5 units are returned.
This small adjustment has a powerful mathematical benefit. For even-money bets only, La Partage reduces the house edge from 2.70% to approximately 1.35%. The corresponding theoretical RTP rises to approximately 98.65%.
For roulette players who prefer simple outside bets and want one of the most favorable conventional roulette rule sets, a single-zero table with La Partage is an especially attractive choice.
En Prison: Another Player-Friendly Single-Zero Rule
En Prison is another rule sometimes found at European-style roulette tables. Like La Partage, it applies only to even-money wagers.
When a player makes an even-money bet and the ball lands on 0, the bet is not immediately lost. Instead, the wager is held “in prison” for the next spin. If the original wager wins on that next spin, the player generally gets the original stake back without an additional profit. If it loses, the stake is lost.
En Prison usually produces the same long-term house edge of approximately 1.35% on qualifying even-money bets. The practical experience differs from La Partage because the wager remains active for another spin rather than returning half the stake immediately.
Players who prefer immediate clarity may like La Partage, while players comfortable leaving a wager in play for one more spin may appreciate En Prison. In both cases, these rules improve the value of eligible outside bets compared with standard single-zero roulette rules.
European Roulette Call Bets and Racetrack Bets
European roulette is closely associated with traditional French-style call bets, also known as racetrack bets. These wagers cover sections of the wheel rather than simply adjacent numbers on the betting layout. In land-based settings, a player may announce the wager to the dealer; online tables often provide dedicated buttons for the same betting patterns.
The exact availability and chip configuration can vary by casino or software provider, but common European-style call bets include the following.
Voisins du Zéro
Voisins du Zéro, meaning “neighbors of zero,” covers 17 numbers around the zero section of the wheel. It is traditionally placed using a combination of split, corner, and trio bets. This is one of the broadest classic racetrack wagers.
Jeu Zéro
Jeu Zéro, sometimes called the zero game, covers seven numbers near the zero area of the wheel. It offers a more focused way to play part of the zero-side section without covering as many numbers as Voisins du Zéro.
Le Tiers du Cylindre
Le Tiers du Cylindre, often shortened to “tiers,” means one-third of the wheel. It covers 12 numbers on the opposite side of the wheel from zero and is traditionally played through six split bets.
Orphelins
Orphelins, meaning “orphans,” covers the numbers left outside the Voisins du Zéro and Tiers sections. It is often divided into two distinct groups on the racetrack.
These bets can add variety and help players explore the physical wheel’s number sequence. They do not eliminate the house edge, but they are a distinctive part of the European and French roulette experience.
The American Roulette Five-Number Bet
American roulette includes a unique wager commonly called the five-number bet, basket bet, or top-line bet. It covers these five pockets:
- 0
- 00
- 1
- 2
- 3
This wager is possible only because the American wheel includes both 0 and 00. Although it covers five numbers, its standard payout is typically 6 to 1. That payout creates a house edge of approximately 7.89%, making it less favorable than the other standard wagers on an American roulette table.
Players who choose American roulette can make better-informed decisions by recognizing that not all bets share the same edge. Most standard American roulette wagers carry the 5.26% house edge, while the five-number bet carries a notably higher one.
European vs. American Roulette: Bet Types at a Glance
Both games offer a wide range of betting options, allowing players to choose between higher-probability, lower-payout wagers and lower-probability, higher-payout selections.
| Bet Category | Examples | Available in European Roulette | Available in American Roulette |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside bets | Straight-up, split, street, corner, six line | Yes | Yes |
| Outside bets | Red/black, odd/even, low/high, dozens, columns | Yes | Yes |
| Single-zero special rules | La Partage, En Prison | Sometimes | Generally no |
| Racetrack or call bets | Voisins, Tiers, Orphelins, Jeu Zéro | Common on French-style tables | Less typical |
| Five-number bet | 0, 00, 1, 2, 3 | No | Yes |
Which Roulette Version Has Better RTP?
When comparing standard rules, European roulette has the stronger RTP because it has one fewer green zero pocket.
- European roulette: approximately 97.30% RTP and 2.70% house edge on standard bets.
- American roulette: approximately 94.74% RTP and 5.26% house edge on most standard bets.
- European roulette with La Partage or En Prison: approximately 98.65% RTP and 1.35% house edge on qualifying even-money bets.
The benefit of the single-zero format is especially clear for players who expect to place many bets over time. A lower house edge means less theoretical cost per unit wagered. While no roulette option can guarantee a profit, selecting a game with stronger published odds is a practical way to make entertainment funds last longer in theory.
How to Choose Between American and European Roulette
The best choice depends on what is available and what kind of roulette experience a player wants. Still, the decision is straightforward when odds are the priority.
Choose European Roulette When You Want Better Baseline Odds
European roulette is generally the preferred option for players looking for a lower house edge without changing the familiar roulette betting experience. The wheel has a single zero, the standard payouts are the same as American roulette, and the game supports the full range of popular inside and outside wagers.
Look for La Partage or En Prison for Even-Money Bets
Players who enjoy betting on red or black, odd or even, or low or high can gain an additional advantage by choosing a qualifying single-zero table with La Partage or En Prison. These rules cut the house edge on those specific bets in half.
Choose American Roulette for Its Distinctive Double-Zero Format
American roulette remains a recognized and entertaining version of the game, particularly where double-zero wheels are the local standard. It offers the same fast-moving core gameplay and many of the same familiar betting choices. Players selecting this format can benefit from knowing its higher standard house edge and avoiding the five-number bet if lower house edge is their goal.
A Quick Example of the Long-Term Difference
House edge is a long-term statistical measure, not a prediction for a single spin. Still, an example can help show why wheel selection matters.
Suppose a player wagers a total of 1,000 units over many spins:
- At a 2.70% house edge, standard European roulette has an expected theoretical cost of about 27 units.
- At a 5.26% house edge, standard American roulette has an expected theoretical cost of about 52.60 units.
- At a 1.35% house edge, a qualifying La Partage or En Prison even-money strategy has an expected theoretical cost of about 13.50 units.
Actual results can be far above or below these figures in any individual session. The example simply illustrates how the lower edge of a single-zero wheel can provide more favorable expected value over an extended period of play.
Important Notes About Roulette Strategies
Roulette systems such as Martingale, Fibonacci, flat betting, or pattern-based approaches can change the size and timing of bets, but they do not change the underlying wheel probabilities or remove the house edge. Each spin is independent, meaning prior results do not make a particular color or number more likely to appear on the next spin.
A sensible approach is to decide on a budget before playing, choose a table with rules that match your preferences, and treat roulette as paid entertainment rather than a guaranteed source of income. From a game-selection perspective, choosing European roulette over standard American roulette is one of the clearest ways to access more favorable published odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is European roulette better than American roulette?
For players focused on mathematical odds, European roulette is generally better because its single-zero wheel has a 2.70% standard house edge, compared with 5.26% for standard American roulette. European roulette can be even more favorable on even-money bets when La Partage or En Prison is available.
Why does American roulette have a higher house edge?
American roulette has both 0 and 00. The additional 00 creates one more outcome that causes most player bets to lose, while standard payout amounts remain the same.
What is the best roulette rule for even-money bets?
La Partage and En Prison are among the most player-friendly conventional roulette rules for even-money wagers. Each reduces the house edge on eligible bets to approximately 1.35%.
Does the five-number bet exist in European roulette?
No. The five-number bet covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, so it requires the double-zero pocket found on American roulette wheels.
Can a betting strategy overcome the house edge?
No betting system changes the mathematical house edge or guarantees a win. Strategies may help players organize their bankroll or choose wager sizes, but every spin remains independent.
Final Takeaway: The Single-Zero Wheel Offers a Stronger Player Proposition
American and European roulette share the same exciting foundation: pick a bet, watch the wheel spin, and see whether the ball lands on a winning pocket. The meaningful difference is built into the wheel itself.
European roulette has 37 pockets and a 2.70% standard house edge.American roulette has 38 pockets and a 5.26% standard house edge. Because normal payouts remain the same, the additional 00 pocket makes American roulette less favorable from an odds perspective.
For players seeking a stronger combination of familiar gameplay, broad betting options, and better theoretical returns, European roulette is usually the clear choice. A table offering La Partage or En Prison can provide an even more appealing option for those who prefer even-money bets.
